Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides on Friday expressed relief after farmers abandoned plans to block the Rizoelia roundabout in protest at the government’s handling of the foot and mouth disease outbreak. He said protests should not hinder people’s daily lives.
President welcomes cancellation and cites government response
Christodoulides, speaking during a visit to a school in Nicosia, said he welcomed the decision to cancel the planned road action. He said his government has “demonstrated from the very beginning” how it is managing the challenge, pointing to announcements made on Thursday on compensation for farmers whose livestock are to be culled.
Call for cooperation and continued dialogue
He described foot and mouth disease as a “great challenge” requiring cooperation, saying closer cooperation would help address the outbreak sooner. Christodoulides said dialogue between the government and farmers is continuing and that the government’s economic policy allows it to absorb such a crisis.
Asked whether he planned to meet the newly formed group Voice of Livestock Breeders, which had initially called the protest, he said he is in constant contact with organised livestock farmer groups. He said recent announcements were based on dialogue and noted that many meetings have been held during his presidency as efforts continue to deal with the outbreak.
Meeting with police and justice minister preceded cancellation
The Voice of Livestock Breeders cancelled the planned protest after meeting senior police officials and Justice Minister Costas Fitiris, who later said no one would be allowed to occupy any section of the road.
Group cites phone call from president and five-day request
On Friday, group representative Stella Petrou told the Cyprus News Agency that Christodoulides had telephoned the group and asked for five days to examine its demands and schedule a meeting. Petrou said the group cancelled the protest as a sign of goodwill and said she expects the government to announce a date for the meeting.
What do you think the government should prioritise next in addressing the foot and mouth disease outbreak?